EARTH NEGOTIATIONS BULLETIN
PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IISD)
WRITTEN AND EDITED BY:
Chad Carpenter
Pamela Chasek
Steve Wise
Managing Editor:
Langston James Goree VI "Kimo"
A DAILY REPORT ON THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO
THE FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Vol. 12 No. 20
Friday, 7 April 1995
CLIMATE CHANGE CONVENTION COP-1 HIGHLIGHTS:
THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 1995
MINISTERIAL SEGMENT
REPUBLIC OF KOREA: Amb. Soon-Young Hong called for strengthening
emissions controls without jeopardizing the needs of developing
countries. SAMOA: Amb. Tuiloma Slade, on behalf of AOSIS, said
the COP must strengthen existing commitments and extend the legal
framework of the Convention beyond 2000. COTE D'IVOIRE: Lancine
Gon Couibaly, Minister of the Environment and Tourism, said his
country is working with the US to establish a GHG emissions
inventory.
ZIMBABWE: Denis R. Norman, Minister of Transport and Energy, said
there is a need for additional commitments without shifting them
to developing countries. MALTA: Minister of the Environment Dr.
Stanley Zammit called for a protocol by 1997. JI is a potentially
important instrument but should not become a loophole to avoid
commitments.
AUSTRIA: Maria Rauch-Kallat, Federal Minister for Environmental
Affairs, supported negotiation of a protocol that includes
targets and timetables for all GHGs. Austria cannot support JI
credits for constructing nuclear power plants. MARSHALL ISLANDS:
Tom D. Kijiner, Minister of Health and the Environment, said the
main issue is the survival of his country. He expressed
resentment toward countries who have been working to undermine
the Convention. FIJI: Jonetani Kaukimoce, Minister for Housing,
Urban Development and the Environment, called on delegates to
move from "verbal gymnastics" to concrete action.
LESOTHO: Tseliso Makhakhe, Minister of Natural Resources, called
for initiation of programmes between developed and developing
countries aimed at capacity building. THE GAMBIA: Sulaymman
Samba, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said
developed countries must take the lead by reducing emissions and
providing resources. JI should support sustainable development of
developing countries.
KENYA: Justus T. N. Sabari, Ministry of the Environment and
Natural Resources, said developing countries should assume no new
commitments until developed countries meet theirs. VANUATU:
Edward Tambisari, Minister for Health, said developed countries
should share the greater burden of abatement in accordance with
their level of development.
GUINEA BISSAU: Cipriano Cassama, Secretary of State for the
Environment, said that international cooperation must be the
foundation for sustainable development. Guinea Bissau will take
an active part in the future work of the COP. GUINEA: Dorank
Assifat Diasseny, Minister of Energy and the Environment,
appealed for the mobilization of all Parties so that future
generations will be proud. Industrialized countries must show
international solidarity. IRELAND: Brendan Howlin, Minister for
the Environment, stressed the development of alternative energy
sources. CZECH REPUBLIC: Frantisek Benda, Minister of the
Environment, supported international cooperation and said JI
could produce implementation policies and measures.
INDIA: Kamal Nath, Minister for the Environment, rejected the
"insidious moves" to divide the developing countries into
separate categories. India is willing to accept a JI pilot phase
with no credits if it is not an excuse to continue present
consumption patterns. BOLIVIA: Oscar Paz Rada, Representative of
the Minister for Sustainable Development, said it is vitally
important that developed countries reduce emissions and that
technology transfer provisions be implemented. CHINA: Chen Yao
Bang, Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Committee, said that
China has set up a special body for the Convention's
implementation. He called on developed countries to fulfill their
commitments, including provision of financial resources.
SWEDEN: Mans Lonroth, Under-Secretary of State for the
Environment, said Swedish CO2 emissions have been reduced by 40%
through energy efficiency. GREECE: Elissavet Papazoi, Deputy
Minister of Environment Physical Planning and Public Works,
stressed the need for a breakthrough in the development of
renewable energies. BOTSWANA: Margaret Nasha, Ministry of Local
Governments, Lands and Housing appealed to the COP to negotiate a
protocol.
NIGERIA: Dr. Evans O. A. Aina, Federal Environment Protection
Agency, urged the COP to recognize the link between climate
change and the control of drought and desertification. THAILAND:
Suwat Liptapanlob, Minister of Science, Technology and the
Environment, stressed the need for environmentally sound
technology and financial resources. He supported JI without
credits during the pilot phase.
CHAD: Amb. M'Bailaou Naimbaye Lossimian called on developed
countries to accelerate the transfer of technology and financial
resources to developing countries. CUBA: Dr. Carlos Gomez,
Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, said there
cannot be any conditionality for receiving financial resources or
technology. SOLOMON ISLANDS: Amb. Rex Horoi said current
commitments are inadequate and international community must take
additional steps.
LIECHTENSTEIN: Thomas Bucher, Minister for the Environment,
emphasized the need for balancing environmental and economic
concerns and promoting renewable energy resources. He appealed to
the COP to establish a mandate for a protocol. MONGOLIA: Damdin
Dagvadorj, Ministry of Nature and the Environment, said Mongolia
has implemented measures to lower emissions, but needs more
efficient energy technology.
BENIN:Jean-Roger Ahoyo, Minister of Environment, Housing and
Urban Development, said measures taken to combat climate change
can develop "genuine synergy" if taken alongside measures to
eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable development. PAKISTAN:
Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of State for Parliamentary
Affairs, supported AOSIS and urged immediate action to curtail
emissions. He proposed a system of tradeable emissions permits
based on population.
FINLAND: Amb. Asko Numminen said we have to implement more
effective policies and called for negotiation of a protocol with
concrete measures after 2000. SRI LANKA: Reggie Ranatunga, Deputy
Minister of Transport, the Environment and Women's Affairs, said
Convention implementation is necessary at the local and regional
levels. ESTONIA: Prime Minister Andreas Tarand said that climate
change in the Baltic States will cause increases in precipitation
in the west and drought in the east, leading to increased
migration. Estonia is completing a long-term energy reduction
plan.
MICRONESIA: Isaac Figir, Congress, said that developed countries
cannot continue their polluting practices to maintain their
standards of living. ROMANIA: Aurel Constantin Ilie, Minister of
Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection, said Romania is
modernizing technologies to reduce GHG emissions. The cost must
be supported by those responsible for climate change. LATVIA:
Indulis Emsis, State Minister for the Environment, called for
increased commitments for developed countries, adding that Latvia
cannot accept new commitments.
SLOVAK REPUBLIC: Josef Zlocha, Minister of the Environment,
stated that the Slovak Republic has set a target of 20% reduction
of 1988 levels by 2005. ITALY: Emilio Gerelli, Vice-Minister of
the Environment, said Italy has achieved 80- 85% of its
stabilization goal. He supported a protocol by 1997.
JAMAICA: Donald Mills, Special Adviser on International
Environmental Matters, expressed serious concern at the
reluctance of some to take necessary action. KUWAIT: Dr.
Abdulrahman Al-Muhailan, Minister of Health, said decisions
should not rush forward but be on solid scientific foundations.
Kuwait has supported steady steps that may seem limited to some,
and has supported the countries most subject to harm from
economic and social consequences. UZBEKISTAN: Victor E. Chub,
Chief of Glavgidromet, reviewed problems associated with
desertification in Uzbekistan.
HUNGARY: Dr. Katalin Szili, Secretary of State for the
Environment, said the precautionary principle should be the
governing factor in strengthening the commitments under the
Convention. BAHRAIN: Amb. Ahmad Abbas Ahmad said the
implementation of precautionary measures should not negatively
affect economies of developing countries, especially those based
on fossil fuel exports. TUNISIA: Mohamed Hedi Mlika, Minister of
the Environment and Land Management, said that many countries and
regions are vulnerable to climate change. Africa needs financial
support to implement the Convention.
MOROCCO: Noureddine Benomar Alami, Minister of the Environment,
said that negotiations between developing and developed countries
for technology transfer must continue. He supported adoption of a
protocol. COLOMBIA: Dr. Ernesto Guhl Nannetti, Vice-Minister of
the Environment, stated that Colombia has assumed its
commitments, but developed countries seem unable to see the long-term implications of their actions. BANGLADESH: Syed Amirul Mulk,
Ministry of the Environment and Forests, said that Bangladesh
contributes little to GHG emissions, but will have to pay a great
price.
BULGARIA: Georgi Georgiev, Minister for the Environment,
announced that Bulgaria ratified the Convention on 16 March 1995,
and is undertaking a study to enable it to reduce GHG emissions
to 1988 levels. COSTA RICA: Dr. Alvaro Umana, Chairman of the
Presidential Climate Change Committee, supported joint action
with developed countries. Costa Rica has already developed
projects for evaluation by the international community. URUGUAY:
Juan Chiruchi, Minister of Housing, Territorial Regulations and
the Environment, said the Convention is the appropriate
instrument for monitoring human activities that contribute to
climate change.
MALDIVES: Ismail Shafeeu, Minister of Planning, Human Resource
and the Environment, endorsed the AOSIS protocol. Developing
countries cannot accept further commitments until technology
transfer and financial assistance are available. UGANDA: Besueri
K.L. Mulondo, Minister of State for Natural Resources, cautioned
that JI could shift the responsibilities from developed to
developing countries.
MOZAMBIQUE: Dr. Bernardo Pedro Ferraz, Minister for Coordination
of Environmental Affairs, supported a JI pilot phase. PORTUGAL:
Teresa Gouveia, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources,
stressed incorporation of environmental concerns in national
development plans. SYRIA: Minister of State for the Environment
Abdelhamid Al-Munajed said Parties have a duty to adopt
precautionary measures. Developed countries need to provide
technology and funds.
SAUDI ARABIA: Abdulbar Algain, President of the Meteorology and
Environmental Protection Administration, said the Convention
should not impede progress by considering emissions reductions.
Reductions would require impossible energy efficiency,
intolerable investment levels and limited growth. CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC: Martin Gbafolo, Minister of Waters, Forests, Hunting,
Fishing, Tourism and the Environment, said development is the
priority in Africa. CAR is a real sink for CO2 emissions. MALI:
Mohamed Ag Erlaf, Minister of Public Works and Transport, said
Mali has only minor CO2 emissions and no important sinks. He
suggested moving the Desertification Convention secretariat to
Bonn.
NEPAL: Amb. Durgesh Man Singh said the solution to climate change
lies in global partnership. All Parties must act so that future
generations will not suffer. PERU: Amb. Luis Silva Santisteban
said a mandate for a protocol was needed. He said a pilot phase
for JI should be launched and added that the Convention needs the
cooperation of developed countries.
CHILE: Amb. Jorge Berguno stated that while the Conference has
produced solid steps forward, much remains to be done. He
supported a JI pilot phase. CROATIA: Vladimir Krtalic, Deputy
Minister of Physical Planning, Building and Housing, stated that
Croatia receives more pollution than it generates. However,
Croatia will commit itself to the Convention to the extent
possible. SLOVENIA: Dr. Pavel Gantar, Minister of Environment
and Physical Planning, said a response to climate change should
be developed as soon as possible.
TOGO: Yao Dao Felli, Minister of Rural Development, Environment
and Tourism, said countries must seek solutions to avoid
environmental Armageddon. Africa must be helped by avoiding
technology transfer harmful for its development. MONACO: Amb.
Bernard Fautrier said Monaco will reduce emissions to 1990 levels
or lower by 2000. Monaco is meeting its commitments, but because
20% of its territory is at sea level, it appreciates the need for
international action.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
The final meeting of the COW took place at 9:30 pm to adopt a
number of decisions, including FCCC/CP/1995/L.13 on activities
implemented jointly under the pilot phase; FCCC/CP/1995/L.12 on
the location of the Permanent Secretariat in Bonn; and
FCCC/CP/1995/L.10 on transfer of technology. Brazil noted that it
had made major concessions and the COP should look carefully at
activities implemented jointly whenever they involve Annex I and
non-Annex I countries. Claiming credit for cooperation is
something that runs the risk of destroying the concept that
countries are responsible for their national emissions.
The Chair forwarded a number of documents related to the budget
to the drafting group on budget to consider when it met at 10:30
pm. The Executive Secretary also noted that the budget figures
will be revised since the Secretariat will be in Bonn.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY
PLENARY: The Plenary is scheduled to meet from 11:00 am -1:00 pm
and again from 3:00 - 6:00 pm. There is a possibility that the
morning meeting may be canceled if documentation is not complete
or if more time is needed for consultations following Thursday
night's 11:00 pm ministerial meeting on the adequacy of
commitments.
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This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin
is written and edited by Chad Carpenter
, Pamela Chasek
and Steve Wise . The
managing editor is Langston James Goree VI "Kimo"
. The sustaining donors of the Bulletin are
the International Institute for Sustainable Development
, the United Nations Environment Programme and
the Pew Charitable Trusts through the Pew Global Stewardship
Initiative. General support for the Bulletin for 1995 is provided
by the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur
Technische Zusammenarbeit and the World Bank. Partial funding for
this volume of the Bulletin has been provided by the German
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation
and Nuclear Safety and the Interim Secretariat for the
Framework Convention on Climate Change. The authors can be
contacted at their electronic mail addresses and, during the
COP, by phone at +49-30-30-38-52-73 and fax at +49-30-31-10 33
33. IISD can be reached at 161 Portage Avenue East, 6th Floor,
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